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Bra Questions?

Cynthia

Okay, so I've been to a Victoria's Secret and a local bra boutique here in town. My first ever experience was at the local boutique where they measured me at a 32C. It's been about two years since that first experience so I thought I'd get fitted again but at Victoria's this time. I walk in, they whip out their measuring tape and tell me I'm about a 32B. I thought to myself, "okay". I go in and try out the bras, well I wasn't shocked at all, I was pouring out of the cups and gosh it looked horrific in there. Anywho, I went across town to a local bra boutique. The little old lady measured me at a 32B as well. Again, same thing happens with the 32B bras. So she suggest I try a 34B so that my boobs wouldn't pour out like such. I told her the band was a bit loose, maybe we can try a 32C or 32D, she looks at me a says, "honey, you aren't D cup--trust me". I wasn't satisfied with her or her measuring techniques so I left without buying a bra. Since then, I've been wearing my 34B's even though the cups are so small and the band is so loose. This led me to find the perfect fitting, online of course. And to my greatest luck I found a website called, "Bravissimo". I e-mailed one of the reps, I answered her questions and gave her my underbust measurement of 26 1/2, she told me that I should be wearing a 28 band instead of a 32; especially a 34. And my cup size should be an E or F cup according to my full bust measurement of 33. Does this all make any sense? I especially want to talk to women who wear or have had experiences like this. I want to order but it would have to be overseas/international order. I just hope it fits! And do not be alarmed, I know the E and F sounds HUMONGOUS but rest assured the rep told me that a 28E or F holds the equivalent of a 32DD. Trust me, my boobs don't look that big at all...but I guess having a small bone frame, I do have boobs! Care to share your stories? And I want to know if the UK sizing are any different than the US? I never understood why we would even add 4 to 5 inches to what our measurements underbust. So Bravissimo does sound right to me, what are your thoughts? And should I order the 28F?

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Cynthia

Tanya

Veteran

Cynthia. I am sorry about your troubles. I would not trust VS at all. What I would do is try to get a real fitting in person without ordering things online. Everyone here speaks great of Nordstrom, I have also had an excellent experience with them. Another good possibility would be a special lingerie store such as Intimacy.
I don't know where you live, but I hope you might have these around. A lot of places, especially VS, are trained to tell you that if you are a size they do not carry, to tell you that you are a different size. From your description you sound like a 32 C/D to me.,

Cynthia

Tanya, after the experiences that I had--I went ahead and ordered a 32C and a 32D in the privacy of my own home, why I had questioned it again is the fact that the bands on the 32 are quite loose, I can still pull them about 2 to 3 inches away from my body and the cups have me looking like I have the "double" boob effect. LOL. That's why I e-mailed Bravissimo. I really want to try the 28 band size but I want to hear from others if there are any at all if it'll work out for me.

Violet

Cynthia - what you said makes sense. For years, I was wearing a 34B, but when I got properly sized, I found that I was a 32D. The D cup size is not the same size for each band size. My understanding is that the cup size is proportional to the band size. When you have a small frame, you may sometimes need a larger cup size.

Have you tried on any 32C or 32D sizes at a local store? I would try those on and see how they fit. If that still doesn't work, try the 28F but check the return policy in case you have any problems and need to send it back.

Tanya

Veteran

Well if the 32 is too loose, then you certainly need a smaller band. But I would still go get fitted at a good place. You may be a 28 or a 30 instead. I do not think then anyone can tell in advance whether it would work or nor before getting fitted and trying the bras on.

Cynthia

Most places don't even carry any thing under a 32 band size; so I'm stuck with ordering internationally if I do make up my mind and decide to go for it. I'm definitely going to look at the return policies BEFORE I buy!

Tanya

Veteran

Cynthia, there are some excellent lingerie websites in the US that carry all sorts of sizes including the ones you want. You can search by bra sizes. My favorite is http://www.figleaves.com , but there are also http://www.barenecessities.com and http://www.herroom.com . So you do not have to order internationally yet. I still strongly suggest that you get a fitting at Nordstrom first.

Cynthia

Okay, Nordstrom first! I'll make that a priority of mines for this upcoming week! I would hate to spend big bucks on something that I will have to eventually return! Thanks so much Tanya!

tarzy

Veteran

From what I understand, Violet is correct. Cup size relates directly to band size, so a 30E cup would not be the same as a 34E cup. It's all proportional. As the band size goes up, the cup size goes up in proportion.

This is another good site for bras, and has a lot of great information:
http://www.herroom.com/bra-fit.....01,30.html

Cynthia

I totally understand about the cup differences, I know a D cup from a 34 is way different than a D cup from a 30 band. I just hope Nordstrom will be the perfect fitter for me!

ImogenL

(website)

This is a little table I use as a guide that I got from a bra fitter - it's not exact, and brands differ, but it's a starting point.

Rib Cage Measurement

Rib Cage inches: 28/29 30/31 32/33 34/35 36/37 38/39 40/41 42/43

Your bra size is: 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
European 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

Cup (Bust) Measurement
inches difference 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Your cup size is AA A B C D DD E F G

I buy bras from Bravissimo because they have great bras, and excellent exchange policies. I think your Bravissimo fitter is right - and that the others you have seen are wrong (which saddens me).

Oneirix

(website)

Check out this link by Nicole:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....replies=40

I did her fitting by myself and then went to Nordstrom (well-trusted in bra fitting, at least with me and many others) and got the same results. Try it for yourself, and if you really want a professional bra fitting go to Nordies. They have a really wide range and no agenda like a boutique with a limited size range or Victoria's Secret that has the same problem.

Just bear in mind how the bra is supposed to look and feel! Fill the cups completely, no backfat, no riding up or down, no need to fiddle with it during the day, etc. Even if you don't know your measurements, you certainly know what's comfortable!

Don't bother buying from a website you can't easily return to. It's a bad habit, and it's especially bad for things like bras, shoes and jeans!

Nicole

Veteran

I have come to the conclusion that bra fitting techniques will vary based on your band size. It seems that bras with lower band sizes (30, 32, 34) have that magic 6" added to the actual measurement. While higher band sizes, (36, 38, 40) have some variable number added to the band size. I think any measuring should just be a starting point, and only used to give you a range of sizes to take into the fitting room with you.

You need to go into the bra fitting process with a boatload of commonsense and patience. First decide on whether you want an underwire or a soft cup. Then decide if you want some padding or a thicker fabric to conceal any nipple show thru (Sorry if that's too graphic, but I'm tired of looking for discreet words to express that problem--bra fitting is enough a hassle that women shouldn't have to read between the lines too).

Once you have a good idea of what kind of bra you want to try on, find one that meets your criteria. Now take that bra in a range of sizes into the dressing room. (Also measure yourself OVER your bust, just under your armpits--this number should be pretty close to your band size--at least it seems to be for me and several women I've helped measure). So, if you under bust measurement is 26.6--I'd grab a 28, 30 and a 32 in band size. Then look for each of those band sizes in a C, D, and DD (or E) cup. Yes that will be 9 bras you are potentially trying on. But once you start trying them on, you will know if you need to bother trying on certain ones. If the 28C fits too tight under the bust, then you can safely eliminate the 28 D and DD--because all bras in that brand will be too tight in that band size. If the 30C fits well in the band, but is too tight in the cup, then try the 30D and so on.

I know this sounds like a horrible proposition--but I honestly beleive it is the ONLY way to buy a new style bra. This is why most of my bras at the same style--because I know what size fits me.

Finally, I think it's worth the shipping cost to order 9 bras and return 8. Shopping for bras online for hard to find sizes makes a lot of sense. Just don't wear any perfume or deoderant when trying them on, and keep the tags attached. If you find one bra that fits well and seems comfortable--wait until you've worn it all day before duplicating it.

Nicole

Veteran

Oh and Oneirix has a great point. Knowing how a proper fitting bra is supposed to feel and look is important if you've been wearing the wrong size bra. The bottom of the band should be parallel to the floor. It should not be higher or lower in the back. Your busts should be elevated above your ribcage. The shouler straps should not slip off your shoulders. Narrow shoulders are no excuse for this. And the straps should not be holding the majority of the weight of your breasts.

Here's a great link about how a bra should fit and what it means if it doesn't fit in certain areas:

http://www.barenecessities.com/fit_sizing.asp

Cynthia

Well, if you ladies want to talk about "fit" and "comfort"; I am definitely not feeling it at all! Even with the 32 bands, I still find myself adjusting the bra throughout the day...it's time to go to Nord's!